SLPS STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN NOVEMBER 7, ELECTION
All students given opportunity to cast a ballot in mock election

St. Louis – It’s Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and St. Louis Public Schools students will exercise their right to vote in a mock election. Students will be casting their ballots for candidates in key state and local races as well as several ballot issues.

The election is part of Kids Voting USA, a nationwide, nonpartisan program where students in grades K-12 are taught the importance of citizenship and voting.

“This is a great lesson in civics for our students,” said Superintendent Diana Bourisaw. “The program teaches the responsibilities of being an informed citizen and encourages students to acquire the voting habit,” she added.

Every school will also have at least two students to be junior poll workers, students who will oversee the election process for their school. Volunteers from several organizations, including Americorp, the Young Lawyers Division of the Missouri Bar Association, and law students from St. Louis University will also be assisting in the election process.

According to Sandy Diamond, the Director of Kids Voting Missouri, this is the third election that all St. Louis Public School students have had the opportunity to cast mock ballots. “During the 2004 elections, 64% of students in St. Louis voted. In addition to learning how to cast a ballot, the students learn valuable lessons about the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and the government,” Diamond said.

Voting results will be available on the Kids Voting website, www.kidsvotingmissouri.org, beginning late in the evening on Nov. 7. Complete results will be posted the day after election.

Kids Voting Missouri is administered by the College of Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis through its Citizenship Education program.